Bai Siruo knew she had made a grave mistake today. The longer she delayed, the more scrutiny the excuses they concocted would face. So, she said to Xiao Muqian, "You can come see me tomorrow. Don't worry."
His brows were deeply furrowed, and his expression remained grim. However, Xiao Muqian also knew what the best outcome would be. He could only watch as Bai Siruo boarded the carriage of Princess Fulin. Haitang followed behind a maid.
The carriage was empty. At this late hour, Princess Fulin would naturally not be present. However, with her retinue and capable maid, who would dare to investigate?
A grand procession headed towards the Prime Minister's mansion. Su Cheng, being thorough, saw Feng Jinyao safely back to the Feng family.
The young servant at the Feng family's gate, upon seeing Feng Jinyao alight from the carriage, quickly scurried over and handed her the hand warmer she usually used. "Miss is finally back. This was just sent by Sister Yunxu. She's already rushed back to get your cloak."
The words warmed Feng Jinyao's heart. "Brother Su is also tired today. I will remember this great kindness today, A Yao. If you ever need my help, just ask!"
With that, she bowed deeply to him. Su Cheng laughed heartily and said, "With the relationship between me and your second brother, do you still need to bow? Don't worry, I'm not one to suffer losses. I must go and boast about today's great achievement to Second Master Feng."
Feng Jinyao smiled, knowing he was joking.
Seeing her safely enter the house, Su Cheng turned and headed for the Prince of Ding's mansion. Many matters from today still needed clarification, and he naturally had to report to the Prince.
Yunxu rushed over with the cloak. As she exited the second gate, she saw Feng Jinyao walking in.
"Miss!" she exclaimed and rushed forward to greet her. She paused upon seeing the cloak on her, then asked, "Has Miss Bai's cousin been found?"
"She has been found and sent home. Yunxu, is there any food prepared? I'm starving after this bumpy journey."
Some things were best discussed in her own courtyard. Fearing Yunxu's worry, she changed the subject.
"Yes, yes. Xiuqiu has been watching the stove in the small kitchen, and Lamei has prepared everything for your bath. You can wash up after you eat."
She then helped Feng Jinyao towards Ning'an Courtyard.
Upon entering, she saw Madam Feng and her elder sister-in-law, Wen Shi, waiting in the inner room. One paced anxiously, while the other, with her visibly pregnant belly, offered quiet comfort.
"A Yao, you're back?" Wen Shi was the first to see her, her worried expression instantly brightening.
Madam Feng turned and saw her daughter's face, stiff and cold from the wind. Her heart ached. She pulled her daughter closer and asked, "How is it? Was the person found?"
"Mother, please rest assured. Eldest Sister-in-law, please rest assured. Cousin has been sent back to the Bai family. We can visit her tomorrow."
"That's good, that's good. And the scoundrel, was he caught? Hmph, daring to kidnap my Bai family's niece, he's courting death!"
Madam Feng's anger simmered in her chest. If the occasion were different, she would have unleashed a torrent of curses, having caused the entire family so much worry for half the day.
Wen Shi stepped forward to comfort her, "Mother-in-law, you can rest easy now. A Yao hasn't even had dinner and has been rushing around all day. Let her eat something first."
"Yes, yes, look at me, I'm so flustered."
Madam Feng turned and asked Yunxu beside her to call for the dishes. Yunxu agreed with a smile.
Xiuqiu's cooking was excellent, and the meal was exquisite and delicious. Madam Feng and Wen Shi were also worried, so they ate little for dinner. The three of them were now hungry and ate a good portion of the side dishes on the table.
Yunxu served them, while Lamei dismissed the others and, along with Xiuqiu, guarded the door, fearing eavesdropping.
Inside, after Feng Jinyao finished the last grain of rice in her bowl, she slowly began to speak.
"That Lu Yuanfeng is not a good person. He somehow found out about Cousin's past incident of falling into the water and being rescued, and then impersonated the rescuer. Today, he used the excuse of Mother being gravely ill and needing a physician to lure Cousin away. He even drugged her in the carriage. If we hadn't arrived in time, she would have been ruined by that beast. After rushing back, I went to Uncle Shou to get the antidote, which is why I'm so late."
Madam Feng felt her blood run cold just listening. "That damnable scoundrel, to act in such a way! I was wondering how such an intelligent child like Siruo could be so easily tricked, but it turns out this is why."
Eldest Sister-in-law Wen Shi sighed beside her. "It's good that she's back. It's good that she's back. But Cousin's reputation, I fear..."
Her worry was shared by everyone in the Bai family. Fortunately, Feng Jinyao mentioned Princess Fulin, which finally put their minds at ease.
"Father and Princess Fulin have always been close, as is the Prince of Kang's mansion. Perhaps they had already discussed this with the Princess. This way, Siruo's reputation can be preserved."
Madam Feng spoke, interpreting Feng Jinyao's earlier thoughts.
So, it was her maternal grandfather's arrangement. No wonder it was so thorough. Truly worthy of being the Prime Minister of the current dynasty!
Poor Xiao Tingyi's painstaking efforts were "stolen" by his future maternal grandfather before he could even claim credit.
At this moment, the Bai family was in a state of heightened alert.
After Princess Fulin's carriage delivered Bai Siruo back, the maid specifically explained the entire situation. The Bai family members waiting at the gate expressed their gratitude.
Princess Wen Yi said to the maid with immense gratitude, "Thank you for Princess Fulin's rescue. I will personally visit tomorrow to express my thanks."
"Your Highness, please don't be so polite. The Princess merely lent a helping hand."
"We must, we must. Eldest Sister has saved our entire family."
The maid, unable to bear Princess Wen Yi's thanks, could only say, "Then we shall await Your Highness's visit at the mansion."
With that, she led Princess Fulin's retinue away.
Princess Wen Yi looked at her daughter, who had returned unharmed, and thanked all the deities she could think of. Her aunt, Lin Shi, also shed tears.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Hurry inside. You must be frozen after being out in the cold for so long. Let's go in and have a hot meal first."
"Yes, yes, everything is prepared. Hurry inside," said the eldest son of the Bai family.
However, Bai Silang, standing nearby, had a grave expression. Although the heavy stone in his heart had lifted upon seeing his daughter return, he still needed to give her a stern warning.
With a stern face, he said to her, "Siruo, come with me to the ancestral hall."
"Husband..."
"Fourth Brother..."
Everyone knew what he intended to do. But their child had just escaped from a den of wolves. To go to the ancestral hall now, how could she bear it?